Normally, when your gums are healthy and strong, they should fit snugly around your teeth, protecting your teeth and tooth roots. It can come as a bit of a shock when you notice one day that your gums have started to recede, so your teeth look longer teeth, and if the recession is significant, it could expose part of the tooth root.

When gum recession occurs, it causes pockets to form between the teeth and gums, called periodontal pockets in Oshawa. These pockets make it easier for harmful bacteria to accumulate where they can penetrate your gums, the supportive ligaments called periodontal ligaments and your jawbone. Eventually, this can lead to tooth loss.

However, many people are unaware they have any gum recession, and one of the first signs is noticing your teeth feel more sensitive to hot and cold. This is because when gums recede, any exposed tooth roots are not protected by enamel and instead are covered by cementum that is more easily brushed away, so the sensations of hot and cold can penetrate teeth more easily. Another sign is noticing your gums have started to bleed; if you look at them, they may appear red and swollen. If you notice you have gum recession in Whitby, please contact Margolian Dentistry, as this problem should not be ignored.

What Causes Gum Recession?

Gums can recede for a variety of reasons, including the following.

1. Periodontal disease, where bacterial infection has begun to destroy your gums and the bone and ligaments holding them in place. Periodontal or gum disease is the main cause of receding gums.
2. Some people have thinner gum tissue than others, so that they can be more at risk of gum recession. Others are more susceptible to gum disease even if they properly care for their teeth and gums.
3. Poor oral care is another major reason for receding gums. Failing to brush and floss regularly or brushing inadequately allows plaque to build up. Plaque contains harmful bacteria that cause gum disease and hardens into tartar or calculus within a few days.
4. Brushing your teeth too hard can literally wear away the gum tissue, especially if you use a hard-bristled toothbrush and press too hard when brushing. This can cause your tooth enamel to wear away, as well as your gums.
5. Certain hormonal changes during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause can make the gum tissue more sensitive to the bacteria that cause gum disease.
6. Poorly aligned teeth that do not bite together can place your teeth and gums under too much pressure. This not only wears down teeth unevenly but can result in gum recession.

What Happens If I Have Receding Gums?

If your gums are receding, our dentist can identify why and provide suitable treatment. Gum disease in Ajax is often the cause of receding gums, and if this is the case, we can recommend suitable treatments to help reduce the number of bacteria infecting your gums.

One of the simplest ways to achieve this is by cleaning your teeth professionally, and this might be enough if you have only mild gum inflammation and the very first signs of gum disease. Getting rid of the plaque and tartar buildup over your teeth also helps to get rid of the harmful bacteria so your gums can fight the infection more easily. Provided you brush thoroughly twice daily and floss once a day, your gum tissue should become healthier and stronger within a few weeks.

Suppose your gums are significantly infected, and you have quite deep periodontal pockets or spaces between your gums and teeth. In that case, you may need to have your teeth deep cleaned, which cleans your teeth and exposed tooth roots, helping to eliminate the bacteria deep in the periodontal pockets.